Robbing God

I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:15–16 CSB

“Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Armies. Yet you ask, “How can we return?” Malachi 3:7 CSB

“Will a man rob God. Yet you are robbing me. ” “How do we rob you “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” “How do we rob you?” you ask. “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions... Malachi 3:8–9 CSB

You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Malachi 3:8–9 CSB

The Problem: God’s people are robbing Him.

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously... 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you... 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

...so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever... 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness... 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us... 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6–12 CSB

You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Malachi 3:9 CSB

Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure... Malachi 3:10–12 CSB

I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the Lord of Armies... Malachi 3:10–12 CSB

“Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Armies. Malachi 3:10–12 CSB

The Solution: Honor God by giving generously and cheerfully.

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously... 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 CSB

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 CSB

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” Luke 19:8 CSB

“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. Luke 19:9 CSB

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17 CSB

Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21 CSB

But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Mark 10:22 CSB

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23 CSB

God promises to prosper the person who gives generously.

Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap... Luke 6:38 CSB

For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 CSB

“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal... Matthew 6:19–20 CSB

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. Matthew 6:19–20 CSB

The Question: Am I bringing God honor in my giving?

Robbing God